Unjárga
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| Unjárgga gielda Nesseby kommune |
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| — Municipality — | |||
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| Country | Norway | ||
| County | Finnmark | ||
| Municipality ID | NO-2027 | ||
| Administrative centre | Varangerbotn | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor (2003) | Ann Jorid Henriksen (Ap) | ||
| Area (Nr. 57 in Norway) | |||
| - Total | 1,436 km² (554.4 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 1,367 km² (527.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2008) | |||
| - Total | 856 | ||
| - Density | 1/km² (2.6/sq mi) | ||
| - Change (10 years) | -13.5 % | ||
| - Rank in Norway | 415-416 | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Official language form | Bokmål and Sami | ||
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| Website: www.nesseby.kommune.no | |||
Unjárga (Sami language) or Nesseby (Norwegian) (Uuniemi in Finnish) is a municipality in the county of Finnmark, Norway.
The area of Nesseby was separated from Vadsø January 1, 1846. Together with the areas of Berlevåg, Polmak and Tana (separated from Lebesby the same date), these were merged to create the greater municipality of Nesseby.
Tana (together with Berlevåg) was separated from Nesseby January 1, 1864 - and Polmak was separated from Nesseby January 1, 1903.
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[edit] The names
The official name of the municipality was Nesseby before 1989 when it was changed to Unjárga-Nesseby[1]. It was the second municipality in Norway to get a Sami name. In 2005 the name was again changed, such that either Unjárga or Nesseby can be used. [2]
The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the farm Nesseby, since the first church was built there (in 1858). The first element is nes n 'headland', the last element is by m 'farm'.
The meaning of the first element (u-) in the Sami name is unknown, the last element is njárga 'headland'.
[edit] Geography
The municipality is situated on the isthmus between the Varangerfjord and the river of Deatnu (Tana in Norwegian). People live in small settlements along the fjord, the municipal centre being at Varangerbotn.
[edit] Sami culture
Most inhabitants are of Sami origin, and today Sami is being taught as the first language in schools. The municipality has its own Sami costume.
The Norwegian Sami Parliaments department of culture and environment is located in Unjárga-Nesseby. The Várjjat Sámi Museum is located in the municipality. The museum is about the sea-sami culture. Unjárga-Nesseby is also the birthplace of Isak Saba the first Sami to be elected into the Norwegian Parliament.
[edit] History
Wild reindeer used to cross the isthmus in prehistoric times up to around 1900, causing extensive human activity throughout the millennia. Therefore, the area is full of archeological finds from different periods.
[edit] Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1986). It shows a cloudberry. (The harvesting of the cloudberry have been important for the economy of the municipality.)
[edit] Birdlife
The municipality of Unjárga/ Nesseby is known for its interesting birding localities and is mentioned in several birding guide books. Other than the Varangerford the main habitat is tundra with areas of bog and marsh. One species that can usually be seen on small ponds during the summer months is the Red-necked Phalarope.
[edit] External links
- http://www.nesseby.kommune.no/ Official homepage.
- http://www.varjjat.org/ Várjjat Sámi Museum.
- http://www.isaksaba.no/ Isak Saba center.
[edit] References
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